Avoid using Gas and Electricity

robsmum_2

I am seriously upset! We finally had to give in at the weekend and have put the living room storage heater on low, average temperature in there 16%. We have a free monitor from our elecric company and its now gone completly mad averaging 180 - 200 watts an hour.
We couldn't last any longer without putting a heater on as the house felt damp, due to having the loft insulated in the summer we have turned it down from last year but are worried that if its like this with just 1 heater on low, then we can't sustain it over the winter.
Pleas does anyone know if this is right or have any suggestions?

geordie_joe

robsmum wrote: »

I am seriously upset! We finally had to give in at the weekend and have put the living room storage heater on low, average temperature in there 16%. We have a free monitor from our elecric company and its now gone completly mad averaging 180 - 200 watts an hour.
We couldn't last any longer without putting a heater on as the house felt damp, due to having the loft insulated in the summer we have turned it down from last year but are worried that if its like this with just 1 heater on low, then we can't sustain it over the winter.
Pleas does anyone know if this is right or have any suggestions?

Are you sure the bold bit is right?

1,000 watts per hour is 1 unit per hour, for me 200 watts per hours is less than 2.5p per hour, less than my computer uses!

robsmum_2

Geordie Joe:
Thanks for your reply. Our monitor has now gone down to 146 watts per hour. (Now 220)!
For us 1000 watts = 1 unit and on our day rate that's 13.90p a unit and 5.43p unit on E7.

Not sure what's going on here, will monitor tommorow when am in all day.

fedupandskint

I refused to go onto Eon's DD as it was way over the cost of my quarterly bills. As a result I am on a higher tariff (thanks!) and I am trying to reduce my elec bill. This 1/4 it is around £80 and according to my energy tracker it has been more each month than last year.

I have worked hard on the gas use this year and have kept the heating off much longer than ever before when I would have put it off regardlesss.

I have fitted a free TV powerdown to the TV etc and have bye bye standbye on the kitchen things on standby.

Have energy saving bulbs in most lights apart from the stairs (don't fit) and 2 touch on/off bedside lamps.

Thinking about putting an energy saving intruder security light to replace the old one.

Not sure what else I can do - does anyone have any other ideas?

robsmum_2

I have stopped panicing a bit now but am seriously monitoring everything today.
Noticed last night that some of our lights use a huge amount of electricity. We have spots in the kitchen on a dimmer switch and played with them and the lower they were on the less we used. Then put the under cupboard lights on that use virtually nothing. Worked out that by changing angle of spots, having them on really low and cupboard lights on - there was plenty of light for doing dinner.
Living room spot lights a big user but not too worried as they only go on for a minute as we go to bed.
Experimenting with things today and so far the fridge and freezer are the biggest users when they come on, but can't turn them off as that wouldn't be very MSE!:rotfl:

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

fedupandskint wrote: »

I refused to go onto Eon's DD as it was way over the cost of my quarterly bills. As a result I am on a higher tariff (thanks!) and I am trying to reduce my elec bill. This 1/4 it is around £80 and according to my energy tracker it has been more each month than last year.

I have worked hard on the gas use this year and have kept the heating off much longer than ever before when I would have put it off regardlesss.

I have fitted a free TV powerdown to the TV etc and have bye bye standbye on the kitchen things on standby.

Have energy saving bulbs in most lights apart from the stairs (don't fit) and 2 touch on/off bedside lamps.

Thinking about putting an energy saving intruder security light to replace the old one.

Not sure what else I can do - does anyone have any other ideas?

Hi fedupandskint

Sounds as though you are already doing a lot to cut down on your energy usage.

Have you talked to our Energy Efficiency team? If not, I would give them a call. Have a list of all your appliances to hand. They will be happy to suggest any other ways you might cut down.

Ask them for a copy of a booklet called 100 ways to save money by saving energy. It's free and contains a lot of useful advice.

Also, have a look at our website. There are some useful energy saving ideas on there; particularly the interactive house and the energy menu.

I'm sorry you were unhappy with the monthly payments suggested.

The amount will be based on the most accurate info we have about your usage; ideally actual meter readings.

Monthly Direct Debit payments are worked out to cover your usage so your account has a zero balance by the spring. Usually, accounts will be in credit during the summer months ready for higher winter bills.

These payments can be higher if there is any debt on the account due to previous under payments.

You're absolutely right about better discounts being available for payment by Direct Debit. However, there are tariffs not dependant on Direct Debits with certain benefits/discounts which may or may not be of interest. These can be seen on our website. Alternatively, give us a call and ask our agents to go through the possible options.

I would also pop your usage on to one of the comparison sites to make sure you are on the best deal for your circumstances.

Hope this helps a little fedupandskint. Give me a shout if you need more info as always happy to try and help.

Malc

Rebekah24

fedupandskint wrote: »

I refused to go onto Eon's DD as it was way over the cost of my quarterly bills. As a result I am on a higher tariff (thanks!) and I am trying to reduce my elec bill. This 1/4 it is around £80 and according to my energy tracker it has been more each month than last year.

I have worked hard on the gas use this year and have kept the heating off much longer than ever before when I would have put it off regardlesss.

I have fitted a free TV powerdown to the TV etc and have bye bye standbye on the kitchen things on standby.

Have energy saving bulbs in most lights apart from the stairs (don't fit) and 2 touch on/off bedside lamps.

Thinking about putting an energy saving intruder security light to replace the old one.

Not sure what else I can do - does anyone have any other ideas?

Totally understand where your coming from!! Mine was £145 a month for a year, now dropped to £100 after over 8 phonecalls, its now in credit by £62

Keeping all heaters firmly off. 1 energy bulb on in the house of an evening. Lots of layers and keeping bundled up and warm. Very tempting to put it on now its getting chilly... really hope it shows on the next bill!! Finger x'd!

Dorato

We have no heating on, no lights, very little at all, in fact. We dont even have an oven so it's not like we're using that to eat up the electricity. For some reason, though, our bill is £90 a month.

I know my laptop is normally charging when I'm not here and I know the fish tanks and fridge are left running all the time. Mum's computer is often on all day and the phones are always left plugged in because mum's here but again, I wouldnt think that would eat up the electricity. I'm not really sure how to lower the bills any more.

cw18

£90 a month sounds excessive.....

I have a fridge/freezer and a freezer, an electric oven (and microwave), a laptop on almost full-time, a PC on full-time 4 days a week (7 during college holidays), and several lights (some, but not all, on energy efficient bulbs), and my electric is only working out at around £25-£30 (plus vat, less dual fuel and internet billing discounts) every 4 weeks !!!!!

Gas is central heating (not yet regularly on), hot water (15 mins a day) and hob - that's averaging £35 (plus/less the same things) every 4 weeks.


I was seriously in credit (£160+), so am now paying £47/month.

Dorato

I thought £90 sounded excessive too. Which is why I think mum may have pretty much every device in the house running while I'm not here. Lol. My laptop is on whenever I'm at home and is charging when I'm out.. If it's not plugged in, it shouldnt be using electricity. Perhaps the internet is taking some electricity as well. I know mum boils enough water to flood Britain every time she makes a drink but I'm sure that wouldnt be why the bill is £90.